Rhododendron Ledebour: description and characteristics of the variety, planting and care, reviews with photos

Flowering shrubs are often used for decorative decoration of household plots and gardens. With the help of such plants, even the most unattractive parts of the garden acquire fabulous beauty and decorativeness. It is to these types of shrubs that the rhododendron of the Ledebour variety belongs.

Short definition

Ledebour's rhododendron is an evergreen, frost-resistant shrub with early flowering. Most flower growers know the plant under the name wild rosemary or maral. In its natural environment, Ledebour's rhododendron is found on the slopes of mountains, coniferous and deciduous forests of the Altai Territory, Mongolia and the Far East, therefore it is resistant to sudden changes in temperature and severe frosts.

Detailed description

The Ledebour rhododendron shrub belongs to the heather family, so it has specific characteristics for its species:

Evergreen with straight, brown thin branches stretching upwards.
The height of an adult bush is from 1.5 to 2 meters.
Young seedlings are bright green with a lemon tint.
Green foliage with an olive tint densely covers the plant. Leaves are small 2-3cm.
Inflorescences are large. Rapid flowering, bright purple flowers with a pink tint cover the bush completely.
High frost resistance. In winter, the leaves roll up into a tube, but with the slightest warming, they immediately straighten out.
Shrub blooms twice a year, in spring and autumn.

Important! Ledebour's rhododendron is a durable plant with excellent decorative qualities. And with proper care, the shrub will become a long-liver on the plot for decades.

History of occurrence

This variety of wild rosemary was discovered during a scientific expedition to the Altai at the end of the 19th century, led by a German botanist. It was in honor of him that the wild rosemary variety got its name.

Healing properties

The leaves of the plant have medicinal properties, in which there is a high content of essential oils, amino acids, micro and macro elements. The leaves are collected during the period of active flowering of the shrub, after which they are dried and used for medicinal purposes.

Infusions and decoctions of Ledebour's rhododendron have anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, and also increase the tone and immunity of the body. However, in cattle, goats and sheep, the plant causes severe poisoning.

Distinguishing Features

Based on the harsh conditions of the natural habitat, the shrub has some differences from its counterparts in appearance:

Ledebour's rhododendron is resistant to severe frosts. It easily tolerates winter frosts down to -32 degrees. But during the winter thaws, the plant quickly wakes up, so subsequent frosts can harm the already activated rhododendron.
The aroma during flowering is possessed not only by the lush inflorescences of the shrub, but also by its succulent leaves. After all, they contain a large amount of essential oil.

Today, there are more than 3 thousand varieties of this plant, but Ledebour's rhododendron is still considered one of the most beautiful shrubs among its relatives.

Growing

The shrub is not picky about care, but there are points that must be considered when growing Ledebour's rhododendron.

Choice of location and soil

For planting Ledebour seedlings in open ground, certain conditions are needed:

The soil for seedlings is preferably rocky, with a high content of acids. It is in this soil that the rhododendron grows in its natural environment.
Does not like winds and drafts, so the seedling site should be protected from them.
For active flowering, the shrub needs sunlight, but the plant does not like direct rays. Land for planting rhododendron should be slightly shaded.
Rhododendron neighbors choose plants with a deep horse system. The shrub has roots close to the surface, so the same neighbors will become a big hindrance to the growth and development of the shrub.
The plant grows well and develops on the coasts of small reservoirs. It can be a decorative garden pond or stream.

Important! Large inflorescences require additional sunlight on the plant.

Selection of seedlings and planting dates

Although the rhododendron is distinguished by its vitality, you need to choose planting material carefully and carefully. It is best to buy young seedlings in specialized nurseries or garden centers. There, professional consultants will offer really he althy and strong plants.

To purchase planting materials at exhibitions, you must have the knowledge of an experienced gardener:

Seedling 2-3 years old has a large number of dense shoots.
Leaves without damage and knots. They are also free of stains, streaks and irregularities.
The root system is not overdried, without knots and damage.
Low seedlings, 15-20cm., a guarantee that they were grown in open ground, so the planting process is easier for a young plant.

Plants grown in greenhouses are higher, but getting used to open ground is more difficult and takes longer. Shrubs are planted on the plot in early spring or autumn, the main thing is that the work does not take place during the active flowering phase.

Planting

For planting Ledebour's rhododendron, a hole is dug 50 cm deep, 60 cm in diameter, into which peat and clay are placed. Before planting, the seedling must be kept in water for 2-3 hours, if the root system is too dry, then the period increases to 10 hours.

The seedling is inserted into the hole, the root system is carefully laid out and sprinkled with soil mixture. Between the roots should not remain unfilled ground areas. The soil around the planted plant is compacted and watered abundantly.

Important! The shrub has thin roots that are located close to the surface of the soil. Therefore, it is advisable to support young plants with supporting pegs before rooting .

Temperature

The shrub is distinguished by its frost-resistant qualities. It easily survives the winter at -32 degrees. But in extreme heat, rhododendron requires shading and additional moisture. Especially, the temperature regime is important in the formation of buds. During this period of time, the most comfortable temperature for the plant will be 15-17 degrees.

Irrigation

Ledebour's rhododendron is a moisture-loving plant, so irrigation work is carried out often. The flowering of a shrub directly depends on its watering. The first sign that the bush lacks moisture is wilted, yellowed leaves.

Irrigation work is carried out with settled water. Also, to increase the acids in the soil, a little peat is added to the water. In drought and hot weather, it is advisable to shade the bush and spray it. Active watering of the shrub is necessary from spring to autumn; in the winter season, the rhododendron is not watered.

Feeding and loosening

Ledebour's rhododendron shrub, like other plants, needs additional feeding. Fertilize it from the first year of planting in open ground. Fertilize with organic fertilizers in early spring. Next, small doses of nitrogen and phosphate supplements are added. Mineral fertilizers are used carefully, because they sharply reduce the acidity of the soil.

The root system of the shrub is located close to the upper layers of the soil and suffers greatly from weeds, which take away moisture and nutrients from it.

Weeding and loosening the soil under the shrub should be done carefully, without damaging the roots of the plant. To protect the rhododendron from external influences and weeds, the soil is mulched with sawdust, needles or garden mulch.

Cutting

Rhododendron bushes are able to keep a beautiful shape on their own for a long time. Therefore, forming pruning is carried out as necessary and only the central branches. But every spring and autumn they do sanitary pruning of dried, broken and damaged branches.

Transfer

Shrub is easy to change places. It is best to transplant the rhododendron in early spring, but before the shrub blooms. If it was not possible to transplant the plant in the spring, then the work is postponed to September or October. After transplanting, the plant will grow faster and gain new strength for rapid flowering.

Wintering

Mild winters down to -10 degrees rhododendron easily tolerates. At such temperatures, the shrub does not need additional insulation. After snowfall, small snowdrifts are created around the plant, which protect the rhizome from freezing. In regions with severe winters, the shrub is insulated with spruce branches or burlap.Insulation is removed with the first spring thaws.

Flowering

With proper and timely care of the shrub, its flowering periods will occur twice a season.

When and how

The first period of active flowering of the shrub occurs in the spring. Depending on the regions in April or May. The second time the bush blooms at the end of summer and is in the active flowering phase for up to 4 weeks.

What to do before and after

Before the beginning of spring flowering, the shrub needs sanitary pruning. And during flowering, the plant needs sunlight and abundant irrigation procedures. After flowering, fallen leaves and buds are removed.

Problem Solving

If the shrub did not bloom, it means that after the last flowering period, faded inflorescences were not cut off in time, because only by removing them, space is freed up for the formation of new buds.

Diseases and pests

Rhododendron is susceptible to various diseases and insects.

Spider mite

The bushes are attacked by a spider mite, carefully inspected and treated with a solution of a fungicide preparation. The procedure is carried out, if necessary, 2 to 3 times, with an interval of 10 days.

Snails and slugs

Frequent plant guests are snails and slugs. The method of dealing with these pests is simple: they are harvested by hand and then burned.

Mealybug, rhododendron bugs and flies

When pests are found on the shrub, the following measures must be taken:

Inspect the plant carefully, and if possible, collect all obvious pests.
Spray the entire shrub with special preparations of the insecticide group.

How to propagate

Ledebour's rhododendron reproduces in different ways:

Seeds. To propagate shrubs in this way, you must have the experience and experience of a professional gardener.
When propagated by cuttings, strong, viable plants are obtained, which, after aging in greenhouses or at home, are planted in open ground.
Layers. Adult bushes have many young shoots, which are dug into the ground in spring and left there until autumn. At the end of the autumn period, the layers are dug up and cut off from the mother bush along with the formed root system. As a result, independent shrubs are obtained that can survive wintering in the open field.

Prevention of various problems

To prevent the plant from dying, preventive treatments are carried out with special preparations every spring and autumn. If the procedure is not carried out in a timely manner, then fungal and putrefactive diseases can destroy a beautiful, flowering bush.

For the prevention of fungal and putrefactive diseases, the bush is treated with Bordeaux liquid.

Important! Preventive treatment procedures are carried out after the flowering period of rhododendron.

Use in ornamental gardening

Compact bushes of Ledebour's rhododendron planted in the backyard or in the garden will become the center of the floral composition.

Medium flower arrangements

Ledebourg's rhododendron is often taken as the basis for creating alpine landscapes and slides. And in combination with small stones, the shrub will not only decorate the site, but also get a natural interior that is familiar to itself.

Groups of plants along paths

If a group of plants is planted along paths or fences, you will get a hedge that will decorate the landscape of a personal plot.

On the background of coniferous trees

Rhododendron bushes combined with coniferous trees will create a bright composition. In this case, the shrub is planted in front of the trees. And during the period of active flowering of the shrub, the composition becomes the center of the garden plot.

Reviews

Irina. Moscow Region:

Ledebour's rhododendron was planted 5 years ago. Every year it blooms more and more beautifully. Currently concerned about breeding this miracle of nature.

Evgeny Nikolaevich. Yekaterinburg:

I bought the first seedling of this shrub about 7 years ago. I thought that it would not survive in our winters, but I was mistaken. Now my entire plot is planted with Ledebour's rhododendron. We admire beautiful flowers with the whole family twice a year.

Anna. Saint Petersburg:

Last spring we planted this incredibly beautiful plant, Ledebour's rhododendron. Immediately after planting, buds appeared with buds, but then for some reason they fell off. We wrapped him up for the winter and now we are waiting for what will happen in the spring.